ORIGIN

Native Survivor: 1979 Jeep Cherokee Chief S

This 1979 Jeep Cherokee Chief is said to be completely original with only 80k miles from new. It is impressively clean with blue plates signaling California history from new, and everything is said to work as it should. Find it here on eBay in Perris, California with no reserve and plenty of photos.

These are frequently heavily modded and torn to pieces, so finding one in this condition is a rarity. We’d remove the aluminum side steps and possibly the front brush guard to clean up the exterior a bit. We like that the tint has preserved the interior but would probably also pull that out as well.

The condition seems to confirm the seller’s claim that it was never driven to its full potential, and this one would be right at home in a museum or on the trails. The interior is impossibly clean and looks like it just rolled off the factory floor. If original, it has to be one of the cleanest 30-year-old vehicles you will find.

The 360 V8 and Quadratrac should keep most people out of trouble, but this isn’t a rig destined for hard off-road use. We’d use it to pull a small boat or run fire trails to slightly lesser known family camp sites. The cleanliness is the amazing part with this one, as most Chief engine bays look nowhere near as clean as below.

The seller says it has been recently serviced and runs well, and its low miles should mean some time before major engine work is an issue. You don’t find them like this anymore, and the classic burly styling simply cannot be found on current makes.